Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

As a guitar sessioner, he's much in demand in Nashville including his work as a sidesman for Emmylou Harris. In CCM circles he's probably best known as the husband of Julie Miller who recorded a handful of Christian music albums at the beginning of the '90s. He's released solo projects and albums with his wife for a while now but with 'Universal United House Of Prayer' it feels as though everything has come together to create a steaming gumbo of intense music and spiritual questions and challenges. This is searing music that separates the spiritual flimsy from what is real, earthy and worthwhile. Kicking off with a Mark Heard song "Worry Too Much", thematically it's almost immediately answered by the second song "There's A Higher Power". Both songs feature the immaculate soulful gospel vocals of Regina and Ann McCrary. Another highlight is a brilliant cover of Dylan's "With God On Our Side" which seems to speak with increasing power in these days of America's actions post 9/11. Elsewhere there's the excellent spiky alt country "Don't Wait" and the bluesy Julie Miller-penned "Fall On The Rock" that closes things. Ultimately this is an all round superb piece of artistry.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.